Join us on a journey through nature’s ever-changing landscape with Trail Trekkers!

PVAS Host: Amy Thomas

$10/child and $10/adult who is not accompanying a child. (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Adult caregivers may attend for free and without registering themselves. Registration is required for all others and limited to 20 participants.

Accompanied by a PVAS naturalist, children, their caregivers, and anyone with a spirit of adventure will dive into the wonders of the great outdoors. Together, we’ll uncover the secrets of the seasons, using all our senses to explore and connect with the world around us. Let nature be your guide as we discover what’s out and about in the preserves with every change of the season. Get ready to be curious, be amazed, and let your inner explorer run wild!

Trail Trekkers will take place monthly at both Yankauer Nature Preserve and Cool Spring Preserve in fall, winter, and spring.

• Walking Distance: About 1 mile
• Pace: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe) to Moderate (steady but able to maintain a conversation)
• Exposure: Forested/dense canopy cover
• Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail Gentle slopes/rolling hills
• Restroom: There are 2 composting toilets at Yankauer near the start of the trail
• Parking/Where to Meet: The group will meet at the pavilion near the start of the trail.
• What to Bring: Dress for the weather, bring water, and wear sturdy shoes! You may also want to consider bringing a packed lunch – for the Yankauer pavilion or elsewhere! Please be sure to pack out your waste.

Register Here!

If spaces remain, you can sign up for this hike right before/during this event, either online or by cash. If you wish to pay by cash at the program, please bring an exact amount, as no change will be available.

About Amy:

Amy is our Lead Teacher and Naturalist. She first worked for PVAS starting in 2012 as a camp counselor for three summers and then as camp director in 2015.

While studying at Towson University, Amy interned with the National Aquarium and Irvine Nature Center and worked for the University’s Office of Sustainability as a Compost Educator. Amy was also very involved in her university’s Outdoor Adventure program where she worked as an Outdoor Trip Leader, Kayak Clinic Instructor, Challenge Course Facilitator and Climbing Gym Supervisor. After earning her BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Informal Environmental Education in 2015, she served as a Chesapeake Conservation Corps member, working as a naturalist at Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville, Maryland. Most recently, Amy worked as a field instructor at the Mountain Institute at Spruce Knob, West Virginia, where she led students on backpacking trips and taught Watershed Education programs.

In her free time, Amy enjoys backpacking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking and cross-country skiing.